Psychometric Properties of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Version (FFMQ-SF) in the Colombian Population

The 24-item Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF) shows robust psychometric properties in a Colombian sample of 582 adults. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five-factor structure, which was invariant across sex and meditation practice. Internal consistency ranged from 0.68 (Non-reactivity) to 0.87 (Acting with awareness). Correlations with emotional symptoms, mindfulness, and transdiagnostic variables were in expected directions. Twenty of 24 items had good fit indices; two items showed differential item functioning by sex. The authors suggest cautious interpretation of the Observe facet scores.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is one of the most widely used instruments for assessing mindfulness and was developed based on previously established mindfulness scales. This study aimed to estimate the psychometric properties of the 24-item version of the FFMQ in a Colombian sample. Method Psychometric analyses were performed in a sample of 582 Colombian adults, recruited through non-probabilistic convenience sampling, using classical test theory and the Rasch model. The internal structure was obtained with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The FFMQ-SF scores were correlated with mindfulness, inflexibility, emotional symptomatology, behavioral activation, and environmental reward. Results The five-factor structure was confirmed to be invariant with respect to sex and meditation practice. Alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients ranged from 0.68 for Non-reactivity to inner experience to 0.87 for Acting with awareness. The correlations with emotional symptomatology, mindfulness, and the transdiagnostic variables measured were of expected magnitude and direction. Twenty of the 24 items had good infit and outfit indices, and Items 10 and 13 presented DIF concerning sex. Conclusions Findings indicated that the FFMQ-SF exhibited robust psychometric properties for evaluating the five facets of mindfulness in a Colombian sample. Nevertheless, interpreting scores on the “observe” facet should be cautiously approached. Preregistration This study was not preregistered.